MNCHP NETWORK BULLETIN | May 21, 2010 >
In this week’s issue:
I. NEWS & VIEWS
1. Facebook furor as nursing mother paintings censored
2. Provincial breastfeeding strategy needed: Advocate groups
3. Latest product recalls (also available in French)
II. RECENT REPORTS AND RESEARCH
4. Do Canadian children meet their nutrient requirements through food intake alone? (also available in French)
5. Portrait of official-language minorities in Canada: Francophones in Ontario (also available in French)
6. Statement on pregnancy and travel (also available in French)
7. Bearing the brunt: How the 2008-2009 recession created poverty for Canadian families (also available in French)
8. Women on the front lines of health care: State of the world’s mothers 2010
III. CURRENT INITIATIVES
9. Healthy earth, healthy kids: Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) art contest
10. Clean air day: June 2, 2010 (also available in French)
IV. UPCOMING EVENTS
11. Diversity in leadership: Women and the criminal justice system in Canada
12. An international summit of education experts (also available in French)
13. Honoring the child, honouring equity 10: Critical communities for equity
V. RESOURCES
14. Hepatitis B: Get the facts (also available in French)
15. Baby’s best chance
16. Your health at home: The First Nations environmental health guide (also available in French)
17. Measuring the quality of early childhood education and care programs: Video and Power Point presentations from symposium available online (also available in French)
18. Online learning module: Introduction to evidence-information decision making in public health (also available in French)
VI. FEATURED BEST START RESOURCE
19. Multiple language resources for newcomers to Canada who are expectant or new parents (also available in French, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu)
I. NEWS & VIEWS
ONTARIO
1. FACEBOOK FUROR AS NURSING MOTHER PAINTINGS CENSORED
The social networking website “Facebook” reportedly removed three paintings of nursing mothers posted by Kate Hanse, an artist based out of British Columbia (Zerbisias, 2010, April 13). The artist posted her work on Facebook and it went missing. When approached by the Star, Facebook said that the paintings were “accidentally removed” (three times). In response, Facebook members formed a group called “Hey Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene” and there are now more than 260,000 members (Zerbisias, 2010, April 13).
http://parentcentral.ca/parent/article/794323
2. PROVINCIAL BREASTFEEDING STRATEGY NEEDED: ADVOCATE GROUPS
This article (Talaga, 2010, May 12) reports that advocates are saying Ontario needs a breastfeeding strategy to help new mothers breastfeed their infants for longer periods. Lori Levere of the Ontario Breastfeeding Committee explains that 88% of women initiate breastfeeding at birth but only 15.8% are still doing it exclusively six months later. According to a coalition of breastfeeding advocates from the committee to the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute and the NDP, the Government of Ontario needs to form a provincial strategy to create healthier babies. The Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best said she breastfed her children and is “certainly very supportive” of breastfeeding. She did not rule out a provincial strategy: “We are certainly listening and we want to look at it in more details and proceed from there…Breastfeeding is important for infant's health and for mothers to bond with their children”.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/babiespregnancy/babies/article/808581--provincial-breast-feeding-strategy-needed-groups
CANADA
3. LATEST PRODUCT RECALLS
(also available in French)
Note: Products that are recalled for containing lead or barium are in excess of the allowable level per the Canadian Hazardous Products Act (CHPA).
20. HiLo "Evolving" Chair made by Age Design Kids Inc.: If the child is not correctly strapped into the chair with the safety belts, or if the safety belts are not adjusted properly at the waist, the child can reach the chair's removable tray with his or her mouth. There may be enough space between the upper and lower parts of the removable tray that may lead to the child getting their bottom teeth stuck if they try to bite or chew on the tray.
21. “Best Friends” Charm Bracelet Sets: Contain cadmium.
22. Various Children's Jewellery: Contains lead.
23. Tommy Hilfiger Children's Sweatshirts: Could easily catch fire if exposed to a flame or other ignition source such as a match, lighter, candle, stove element or spark from a fireplace and cause burns to consumers.
24. Step2® Push Around BuggyTM and Whisper Ride BuggyTM: Have a pin with a yellow knob that attaches the handle to the buggy. In rare instances, the plastic hole in which the pin is inserted can become elongated and allow the pin to become loose. If the pin is loose, the handle could detach causing the adult to lose control of the buggy.
25. Necklace with Heart-shaped Pendants and Bracelet with Peace Sign Charm: Contain lead.
26. Children’s Snowsuits and Coats by Deux par Deux: Have drawstrings, which pose a strangulation hazard to children.
27. Simplicity Cribs with Metal Tubular Mattress-Support Frames: The crib's metal tubular mattress-support frame can bend or detach and cause part of the mattress to collapse. This creates a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged, entrapped, or fall out of the crib, posing a risk of suffocation, strangulation, and falls.
28. Health Canada reminds Canadians to use caution at garage sales, especially when buying second-hand items intended for use by children.
29. Information on investigation into Pampers Dry Max Diapers: Rashes may have resulted from the use of these diapers.
English: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/results-resultats-eng.jsp?searchstring=&searchyear=&searchcategory=
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/advisories-avis/aw-am/index-eng.php
French: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/results-resultats-fra.jsp?searchstring=&searchcategory=&searchyear=&StartIndex=1¤t=true
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/advisories-avis/aw-am/index-fra.php
II. RECENT REPORTS AND RESEARCH
ONTARIO
4. DO CANADIAN CHILDREN MEET THEIR NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS THROUGH FOOD INTAKE ALONE?
(also available in French)
This article (Health Canada, 2009) provides an assessment of the energy and nutrient intakes of Canadian children, aged 1 to 8. The findings reveal that: (1) One in five Canadian children have energy intakes that exceed their energy needs; (2) A notable proportion of the diets of 1-3 year-old children contain total fat in quantities below the recommended range; (3) The diets of children provide adequate amounts of most vitamins and minerals; (4) While the interpretation of the adequacy of nutrients with an Adequate Intake is limited, there is a concern that Canadian children may not be meeting their needs for potassium and fibre; and (5) Canadian children's sodium intakes are associated with an increased risk of adverse health effects (Health Canada, 2009).
English: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/nutrition/commun/art-nutr-child-enf-eng.php
French: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/nutrition/commun/art-nutr-child-enf-fra.php
5. PORTRAIT OF OFFICIAL-LANGUAGE MINORITIES IN CANADA: FRANCOPHONES IN ONTARIO
(also available in French)
This report (Corbeil & Lafrenière, 2010) is the result of cooperation between Statistics Canada and all the Departments partners of the Roadmap on Linguistic Duality. It defines Ontario’s French-speaking population and provides information about: The evolution of the population by mother tongue and first official language spoken (e.g., geographic distribution of the population, proportion within municipalities of residence); Factors influencing the evolution of the population with French as a mother tongue (e.g., fertility, transmission of mother tongue, use of French in the public sphere); and A few key sectors for the vitality of official-language minority communities (e.g., health, education of children, community life). It is important to note that Ontario Francophones are highly concentrated in particular regions of the province. For example, one quarter of Francophones reside in the city of Ottawa, a proportion almost similar to that in the North-East of the province. In education, 57% of the children of Francophone parents attend a French-language elementary or secondary school. An estimated 68% of children receive an education in French (includes the 11% who are enrolled in an immersion program in a French-language school).
English: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-642-x/89-642-x2010001-eng.pdf
French: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-642-x/89-642-x2010001-eng.pdf
CANADA
6. STATEMENT ON PREGNANCY AND TRAVEL
(also available in French)
The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) provides the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with ongoing and timely medical, scientific, and public health advice relating to tropical infectious disease and health risks associated with international travel. PHAC is disseminating this document for information purposes to both travellers and the medical community caring for travellers. Information is provided about the safe time to travel, immunizations, vaccines, breastfeeding and vaccines, air travel, insect bites, Malaria, diving, altitude exposure, motion sickness, food and water protection, traveller’s diarrhea, and more. Recommendations are provided.
English: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/10vol36/acs-2/index-eng.php
French: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/10vol36/acs-2/index-fra.php
7. BEARING THE BRUNT: HOW THE 2008-2009 RECESSION CREATED POVERTY FOR CANADIAN FAMILIES
(summary available in French)
This report (Citizens for Public Justice, 2010) details the rise in poverty and economic insecurity caused by the recession. It examines key economic trends, comparing them to the baseline of 2007 (the last year for which poverty measures are available) in order to understand the recession’s impact. A summary document and fact sheets for each province are also available. In summary, (1) Between 2007 and 2009, there was a significant increase in the poverty rate and the child poverty rate; (2) There was a considerable rise in unemployment, an increased number of EI recipients, and an increase in the number of unemployed Canadians not receiving EI benefits (i.e., social assistance had to fill in the gaps created by EI); and (3) Food and rent increased significantly more than inflation in 2009. This led to a large growth in the number of bankruptcies and the number of food bank users.
Summary document: http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Bearing_the_Brunt_-_Summary.pdf
French: http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Elles_en_payent_les_frais.pdf
Ontario: http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Ontario.pdf
Full report: http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Bearing_the_Brunt.pdf
INTERNATIONAL
8. WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES OF HEALTH CARE: STATE OF THE WORLD’S MOTHERS 2010
This report (Save the Children, 2010) identifies countries that have invested in training and deploying more female health workers and shows how these women are delivering lifesaving health care to some of the poorest and hardest-to-reach mothers and babies. Strategies and approaches that are succeeding are identified. It also shows that effective solutions to this challenge are affordable - even in the world's poorest countries.
http://www.savethechildren.org/publications/state-of-the-worlds-mothers-report/SOWM-2010-Women-on-the-Front-Lines-of-Health-Care.pdf
III. CURRENT INITIATIVES
9. HEALTHY EARTH, HEALTHY KIDS: CANADIAN PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY (CPS) ART CONTEST
The CPS is having an art contestfor children and youth with the theme "Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids." CPS is looking for submissions from across the country, and is asking children tocreate drawings that represent why the earth is important to them, and what they do tocare for the environment. Please distribute the contest information. Entries should be received by July 5, 2010. The top 12 drawings will be featured in the CPS calendar for paediatricians and/or on the CPS website. For more information, visit the CPS website or contact Lindsay Conboyat or 613-526-9397, ext. 234.
www.cps.ca/english/publications/ArtContestIndex.htm.
10. CLEAN AIR DAY: JUNE 2, 2010
(also available in French)
Clean Air Day is a celebration of environmentally-friendly activities that promote clean air and good health across Canada. The Clean Air Day website provides information about actions to take at home, at work, and on the road. Events and resources are listed.
English: http://www.cleanairday.com/html/index.php
French: http://www.journeedelairpur.com/
IV. UPCOMING EVENTS
This section lists events that have not been included in earlier editions of the bulletin or listserv postings. For the details of these events and a complete list of events noted in previous bulletins and postings, including contact information, links to organizations, and descriptions, see http://www.beststart.org/events/otherevents.php
ONTARIO
11. DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP: WOMEN AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CANADA
June 9-11, 2010: Toronto, ON
Hosted by: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
http://www.criminologyandjustice.uoit.ca/EN/conference/
12. AN INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT OF EDUCATION EXPERTS
September 13-14, 2010: Toronto, ON
Hosted by: Government of Ontario
English: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/bb4e/
French: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/adele/index.html
INTERNATIONAL
13. HONOURING THE CHILD, HONOURING EQUITY 10: CRITICAL COMMUNITIES FOR EQUITY
November 18-20, 2010: Melbourne, Australia
Hosted by: The Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood
http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/ceiec/
V. RESOURCES
14. HEPATITIS B: GET THE FACTS
(also available in French)
This website and downloadable PDF provide information about Hepatitis B including how it is spread, the symptoms, why it is a health concern, and how to protect against HBV.
English: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hcai-iamss/bbp-pts/hepatitis/hep_b-eng.php
French: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hcai-iamss/bbp-pts/hepatitis/hep_b-fra.php
15. BABY’S BEST CHANCE
British Columbia’s Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport (2010) announced a new website with information for both new and expectant parents. The “Best Chance” website features information on healthy pregnancy, early child care, and self care for parents. The site was designed as an interactive, online alternative to the “Baby's Best Chance” books, which offer practical and easy-to-understand information on nutrition, safety, child development, and parenting. The Ministry also announced that "a newly-revised version of Baby's Best Chance: Parent's Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care, funded by a one-time grant provided by Child Health BC, will be available through local health authorities to accompany information found on the Best Chance website".
http://www.bestchance.gov.bc.ca/
16. YOUR HEALTH AT HOME: THE FIRST NATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GUIDE
(also available in French)
This First Nations environmental health guide covers useful information and practical tips for First Nations to keep their homes safer and healthier. It provides a health home checklist, resource information, and useful tips on a variety of environmental health topics such as: indoor air, noise, drinking water, food safety, artistry/hobbies, and wastewater and sewage.
English: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/public-publique/home-maison/index-eng.php
French: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/public-publique/home-maison/index-fra.php
RESOURCE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
17. MEASURING THE QUALITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE PROGRAMS: VIDEO AND POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS FROM SYMPOSIUM AVAILABLE ONLINE
(also available in French)
Research papers and presentations are available that discuss measures of quality, initiatives in the early learning sector to improve program quality, relevant indicators of quality, and how to improve social and development outcomes for children. The downloadable Power Point presentations available are: (1) Early Childhood Education Programs in Quebec: How can we raise the bar? (2) Monitoring quality in early childhood education and care programs; (3) Tulsa to Toronto: Lessons learned from assessing early childhood environments and outcomes; (4) Managing quality; (5) Monitoring quality; (6) Child-care quality rating and improvement systems in five pioneer states: Implementation issues and lessons learned; (7) Examining the psychometric properties of the Early Childhood Environment Rating scale-Revised; and (8) Caregivers’ use of metacognitive language in child care centers: Prevalence and predictors.